<i>Dryopteris filix-mas</i> (Dryopteridaceae) leaves inhibit mouse uterine activity
Background: The plant Dryopteris filix-mas has been used traditionally for its uterine-stimulant effects. Aim: The current study is therefore aimed at investigating and determining the effect of the leaves of D. filix-mas on uterine contractility in vitro. Setting: Fresh leaves of D. filix-mas were...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
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AOSIS,
2017-10-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Summary: | Background: The plant Dryopteris filix-mas has been used traditionally for its uterine-stimulant effects. Aim: The current study is therefore aimed at investigating and determining the effect of the leaves of D. filix-mas on uterine contractility in vitro. Setting: Fresh leaves of D. filix-mas were collected from a river bank in the south-western part of Nigeria. Methods: The leaves of D. filix-mas were cleaned, dried and extracted in methanol. The extract (0.07 µg/mL-21.0 µg/mL) was tested on the isolated mouse uteri in order to determine activity on spontaneous-induced uterine contractions. Subsequently the extract (0.005 mg/mL and 0.05 mg/mL) was tested on oxytocin-induced contraction (0.00017 ng/mL-4.98 ng/mL) in calcium-containing media, submaximal oxytocin-induced contraction (0.116 ng/mL) in calcium-free media and in the presence of high KCl-induced uterine contractions (80 mM). The extract was also subjected to mass spectrometric determination of secondary metabolites. Results: The plant extract inhibited spontaneous-induced contractions with IC50 amplitude = 658.41 ng/mL ± 0.11 ng/mL and IC50 frequency = 175.32 ng/mL ± 0.53 ng/mL. The plant extract inhibited oxytocin-induced and high KCl-induced uterine contractions (p < 0.01 at 0.5 mg/mL). The plant extract had no effect on oxytocin-induced contractions under calcium-free conditions. Secondary metabolites belonging to classes of fatty acids, alkaloids, saponin glycosides, amino acids, limonoids, terpenes and porphyrins were identified. Conclusion: The current study reports an inhibitory effect of the plant on uterine contractility in this study, suggesting possible application as a tocolytic or as a contraceptive, as most contraceptive plants have shown uterine-relaxing effect. |
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| Item Description: | 2519-559X 2616-4809 10.4102/jomped.v1i1.25 |